Reclining chairs employing movable back and leg rests



Oct. 6, 1959 H. P. GLASS 2,907,374

RECLINING CHAIRS EMPLOYING MOVABLE BACK AND LEG RESTS Filed Feb. 26, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. I

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' JNVENTOR. HENRY P. GLASS BYI AGENT Oct. 6, 1959 H. P. GLASS 2,907,374

RECLINING CHAIRS EMPLOYING MovABLE BACK AND LEG REs'rs Filed Feb. 2e, 1958 2 sheets-sheet 2 'f f INVENTOA 37 HENRY P. GLASS AGENT United States Patent O RECLINING CHAIRS ElVIPLOYING MOVABLE BACK AND LEG RESTS Henry P. Glass, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 26, 1958, Serial No. 717,737

9 Claims. (Cl. 155-106) This invention relates to articles of furniture and more particularly to a new and improved reclining chair having back and leg rests which are adjustable simultaneously. This disclosure is a continuation in part of United States patent application Serial Number 661,228 filed May 23, 1957 by Henry Peter Glass and entitled Reclining Chairs Employing Movable Back and Leg Rests, now abandoned.

. 2,907,374 Patented Oct. 6, 1959 ice member is movable from a position adjacent the underside surface. of the seat portion to a position wherein the leg rest member extends out from the edge of the seat portion. v

Objects and advantages lother than those set forth will s be apparent from the following description when read in lustrated in Fig. 3 taken along the line 4-4g Reclining chairs having adjustable back and leg rests v have been known heretofore, but they usually require mechanisms which were not only expensive to `manufacture but usually actuate the back and leg rest structures through similar arcuate paths.

In accordance with this invention anew and improved reclining chair is provided comprising a frame having a pair of spaced arm members fxedly attached thereto, a support member having a seat portion and a back portion, and a leg rest member extending between the arm members adjacent one edge of the seat portion. The support member is pivotally mounted on the frame between the arm members, and the leg rest member is pivotally mounted on the` arm members. A belt transmission means is supported by one of the arm members and is secured at one end to the leg rest member and at the other end to the back portion of the support member. The support member has a radius of rotation extending between its pivotal support mounting and the point of transmission means attachment thereto which is greater than the' radius of rotation of the leg rest member extending between its pivotal mounting and its transmission means attachment, thereby causing the unattached end of the leg rest member -to move through a greater arc than the arc travelled by the unattached end of the back portion.

It is therefore one object of this invention to provide a new and improved reclining chair.

Anotherobject of this invention is to providea new and improved reclining chair in which a movable back portion and a leg rest member move through diiferent arcuate paths. v

A further object of this invention is -to-provide a new and improved reclining chair in which the particular location of the pivotal connection of the seat and back portions on the frame of the chair with respect to the pivotal connection of the leg rest member on the arm members of 'the chairl causes a variation in the angle of rotation of the seat and back portions of the chair with respect to the angle of rotation of the leg rest member.

A still further object of lthis invention is to provide a new and improved reclining chair in which the radius of curvature of the arm rests at various positions along their peripheries affect the angle of rotation of the back portion with respect to the angle of rotation of the leg rest member.

A still further object of 'this invention is to provide a new and improved reclining chair in which the position of the back portion determines the position of the leg rest member and vice-versa.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a Fig. 5 is a partial cross section view of the chair illustrated in Fig. 3 taken along the line 5 5;

Fig. 6 is a partial perspective View of one end of the leg rest member illustrating the lever arm for pivotal con nection to the arm members ofthe chair;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modiiication of the reclining chair illustrated in Fig. l with the reclining position shown in dash-dot lines and embodying the invention;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional chair illustrated in Fig. 7;

`7 and 8. i

Referring more particularly to the drawing by characters of reference, Figs. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a new' and improved reclining chair 10 comprising a frame 11 includ- 4ing a plurality of spaced legs 12 as a part thereof and having a pair of spaced substantially parallelly arranged arm members 13 iixedly attached thereto, a support mem- `ber 14 having a seat portion 15 and a back portion 16 iixedly attached Yto yeach other, a leg rest member 17 ex-l tending between the arm members 13 adjacent yone edge of the seat portion 15, and a pair of transmission means 18 one arranged for movement. over at least a part of the outer periphery of` each of said arm members 13.

Each transmission means 18 is suitably connected at one end to the leg rest member 17 and at the other end to 'the back portion 16. The support member 14 is pivotally mounted between the arm members'13. As shown in i Figs. 3 and 4 the seatportionV 15 of support member 14 new and improved reclining chair in which the leg rest is pivotally attached to arm members 13 by means of a rod 19. Rod 19 is fxedly secured to seat portion 15 at the lower surface thereof and is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 20 fixedly attached to arm members 13. Leg rest member 17 is pivotally mounted at one end thereof between and on arm members 13 and adjacent seat portion 15. Each pivotal connection of leg rest member 17, one of which is shown in Fig. @comprises a lever arm 21 iixedly secured to leg rest member 17 and extending outwardly therefrom to a pivotal connection formed either Within arm member 13 or on one of the juxtaposition surfaces thereof. As shown in Fig. 3 the pivotal connections of lever arms 21 to arm members 13 occur at a point 22 at or below the surface of seat porside view of the recliningk The transmission means 18 shown in Figs. 1-6 ofthe drawings are illustrated as belts each nailed' at one end"-` to a portion of leg rest member 17 overhanging the outer periphery of arm members 13 and extending over the arm rest portions or" members 13 to an arm rest overhanging part of back portion 16. The belts arc each nailed to back portion 16 so that upon pivotal movement of support member 14 movement of leg rest member 17 occurs.

ln accordance with the invention claimedl back portion 16 of support member 14 is rotated through a predetermined arcuate path causing leg rest member 17V to move through a much greater arcuate path. In this manner the back and seat portions of support member 14 rotate through a limited arc remaining in a position inclined to the horizontal, while the leg rest member is actuated from substantially a vertical position to substantially a horizontal position.

To accomplish this ampliication of the movement of support member 14, the support member is provided with a radius of rotation-extending between its pivotal support mounting at bearings 20 and its transmission means atcharacters.

tachment at point 23 which is greater than the radius` of rotation of leg rest member 17 extending between its pivotal support mounting at point 22 and the attachment to leg rest member 17 at point 24. As noted from the drawings any movement of the backrest portion 16 is transmitted through the belt mechanism 1S to the leg rest member 17. Therefore, the increment of movement a of belt mechanism 18 at the back portion of support member 14 is equal to the increment of movement b at the leg rest member 17. To express this amplication of movement of back portion 16 in other language, the outer peripheries of arm members 13 are so formed that the edges of the substantially identically shaped arm rests adjacent the leg rest members 17, traveled by it and one end of the belt transmission means, have a smaller radius of curvature than the radius of curvature of the other end of the periphries of the arm members traveled by the back portion 16 and the other end of the belt transmission means 18. As noted from the drawings, the support member 14 is pivotally mounted between the arm members 13 at a predetermined level above the iloor and the leg rest member 17 is mounted at a level higher above the floor than member 14.

The belt transmission means are in frictional engagement with the arm rest portions of arm members 13 and will stop rmly at any point thereon to retain the chair in any reclining position. Actuation` of the supportand llegV rest members occur when a little eXtra force is applied to either the back portion or the leg rest member. Backward or counterclockwise movement of back portion 16 is limited by cross bar 26 forming a part of frame 11 which also serves as a limit for the upward movement of leg rest member 17-through transmission means 18. The upward movement of back portion 16 is limited by cross bar 27 forming a part of frame 11 which controls the downward or clockwise movement of leg rest member 17.

Although the transmission means 18 is shown as a belt moving over the crown or outer periphery of the arm members, nevertheless it is within the scope of this invention to use any other type of transmission means which passes over or through any part of the arm members from the leg rest member to the back portion of the support member. Further, it is intended to be within the scope of this invention to either conceal the belt transmission means in a suitable conduit or track as it passes over the crown of the arm members or to'leave them exposed as shown in the drawings. `It is yalso contemplated in accordance with the invention to provide the transmission means within or outside the lateral confines of the arm members and intermediate the front and rear ends thereof. 'i

Fig 6 illustrates the belt transmission means as comt 4 l prising a rubber shell having ridges 28 protruding therefrom which it over and snugly hug `the outeredges ofv the crown of the arm rests of members 13. As shown in Fig. 6 lever arm 21 and the shell of belt transmission 1S is xedly attached to the arcuate formed end of leg rest member 17. Still further, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the construtiol;` and form of the chair structure shown but may be ofany plain, upholstered or ornamental style known.

Figs. 7 through 11 illustrate a modiication of the reclining chair 10r illustrated in Figs. 1 through 6 wherein like parts in chair 30 are identified with similar reference Chair 30, comprisesV a frame 11 including a plurality of spaced legs 12 as a part thereof and having a pair of spaced substantially parallelly arranged arms 31 lixedly attached thereto, a support member 14 having a seat portion 15 and a back portion 16 iixedly attached to each other, a leg rest member 17 extending between the arm members 31 adjacent one edge of the seat portion 15, and a pair of endless transmission means 32 are arranged for movement onv each of the arm members 31. Each transmission means 32, which may if so desired be concealed as shown within arm members 31, is suitably connected to a leg rest support and pivotal mounting means 33 at opposite sides thereof and at another pointtov the back portion 16 at opposite sides thereof. The support member 14 is pivotally mounted between the arm members 31 in the same manner as shown in Fig. 3,.

Leg rest member 17 is ixedly secured to mounting support means 33 by Wood screws or the like through apertures 34 formed in support means 33. Means 33 usually formed of a suitable metal is provided with arms =35 one on each end thereof which arms are pivotally mounted by means of apertures 36 formed at the ends thereof to arm members 31. As shown in Fig. 11 arms 35 of support means 33 are each notched out to provide tabs 37 to which the belt transmission means 32 are secured. Thus, upon pivotal movement of support means 33 by the belt transmission means 32 which is secured to tabs 37 the leg rest member 17 is actuated from one position to another.

Fig. 9 illustrates how the inside of the arm members 31 are divided into two spaced portions 40 andv 41. The outer circumference of the core portion 40 forms a track for the endless belt transmission means 32.

Fig. 10 illustrates how the belt transmission means is :fastened to the back portion 16 by means of a right angle bracket 38 screwed to back portion 16 and bolted -to the belt transmission means 32.

In accordance with the invention claimed and in the manner -fully describedr above under the description of Figs. 1 through 6 back portion 16 of support member 14 is rotated through a predetermined arcuate path causing leg rest membersr=17 to move through a much greater arcuate path. In this manner the back and seat portions of support member 14 rotate through a limited arc remaining in a position inclined to the horizontal, while the leg rest member 17 is actuated from a position wherein it is adjacent the underside surface of the seat portion to a position wherein the leg rest member extends out from one edge of the seat portion. This ampliication of movement of leg rest member 17 to back portion 16 and the movement of the parts of the chair are accomplished in the same manner as described above for reclining chair 10 in Figs. 1 through 6.

The modilication illustrated in Figs. 7 through 11 shows a reclining chair wherein the leg rest member is out of sight when the chair is in an upright position but which is quickly rotated about a spaced pivot point from a concealed position to' an inclined position adjacent to but spaced slightly from the edge of the seat portion of the chair upon movement of ythe back portion of the chair to the inclined position.

Although but two embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will -be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modiiications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or `from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A reclining chair comprising a frame having a pair of spaced arm members iixedly attached thereto, a support member having a seat portion and a back portion, said support member being pivotally mounted between said arm members, a leg rest member extending between said arm members, said leg rest member being pivotally mounted in said arm members, and transmission means supported byone of said arm members, said transmission means being secured to said leg rest member and to said back portion, said support member having a radius of rotation defined by the length between its pivotal support mounting and its transmission means attachment which is greater than the radius of rotation of said leg rest member defined by the length between its pivotal mounting and its transmission means attachment. j

2. A reclining chair comprising a frame having a pair of spaced arm members iixedly attached thereto, a support member having a seat portion and a back portion, said support member being pivotally mounted between said arm members, a leg rest member extending between said arm members adjacent one edge of said seat portion, said leg rest member being pivotally mounted in said arm members and movable from a position wherein said leg rest member is adjacent the underside surface of said seat portion to a position wherein said leg rest member extends out from said one edge of said seat portion, and transmission means supported Within the ylateral confines of at least one of said members, said transmission means being secured to said leg rest member and to said back portion, said support vmember having a radius of rotation defined by the length between its pivotal support mounting and its transmission means attachment which is greater than the radius of rotation of said leg rest member defined by the length between its pivotal mounting and its transmission means attachment.

3. Areclining chair comprising Ia frame having a pair of spaced arm members xedly attached thereto, a support member having a seat portion and a back portion, said support member being pivotally mounted between said arm members, a leg rest member extending between said arm members, said leg rest member being pivotally mounted in said arm members, and belt transmission means arranged for movement longitudinally of one of said arm members, said transmission means being secured to said leg rest member and to said back portion, said support member having a radius of rotation deined by the length between its pivotal support mounting and its transmission means attachment which is greater than the radius of rotation of said leg rest member defined by the length between its pivotall mounting and its transmission means attachment.

4. A reclining chair comprising a frame having a pair of spaced arm members :tixedly attached thereto, a support member having a seat portion and a back portion, said support member being pivotally mounted between said arm members, a leg rest member extending between said -arm members adjacent one edge of said seat portion, said leg rest member being pivotally mounted on said arm members and movable -from a position wherein said leg rest member is adjacent the underside surface of said seat portion to a position wherein said leg rest member is spaced from and extends vout from said one edge'of said seat portion, and an endless transmission means arranged for movement longitudinally of one of said arm members, said transmission means being secured to said leg rest member and to said back portion, said support member having a radius of rotation defined by the length -between its pivotal support mounting and its transmission means attachment which is greater than the radius of rotation of said leg rest member defined by the length 6 between its pivotal mounting and its transmission means attachment.

5. VA reclining chair comprising a frame having a pair of spaced arm members lxedly attached thereto, a support member having a seat portion and a back portion iixedly attached to each other, said support member being pivotally mounted on and between said arm members, a leg rest member extending between said arm members adjacent one edge of said seat portion, said leg ,rest member being pivotally mounted on each of said -ann members and movable from a position wherein said leg rest member is adjacent the underside surface of said seat portion to a position wherein said leg rest member extends out from said one edge of said seat portion, and an endless belt transmission means -arranged for movement over at least a part of each of said arm members, said transmission means each being secured at one point to said leg rest member and at another point to said back portion, said support member having a radius of rotation extending between its pivotal support mounting and the transmission means attachment thereto which is greater than the radius of rotation of said leg rest member extending between its pivotal mountings and the transmission means attachment thereto thereby causing the unattached end of said leg rest member to move through a greater arc than the arc traveled by the unattached end of said back portion. l s

6. A reclining chair comprising a frame having a pair of spaced arm members, a support member having a seat portion 4and a back portion, said support member being pivotally mounted intermediate said arm members, a leg Irest member pivotally supported in said arm members and extending therebetween, and transmission means disposed laterally of said seat portion intermediate the front andrear confines of said arm members, said transmission means being secured to said leg vrest member Iand to said back portion, the radius of rotation of said support member between the pivotal support thereof and its attachment to said transmission means being greater than the radius of rotation of said leg rest member between the pivotal support thereof and its attachment to said transmission means.

7. A reclining chair comprising a frame having a pair of spaced arm members :lixedlyattached thereto, a support member having a seat portion and` a back portion, said support member being pivotally mounted on and between said arm members, a leg rest member extending between said arml members adjacent one edge of said seat portion, said leg rest member being pivotally mounted on said arm members, and belt transmission means arranged for movement within the lateral confines of one of said arm members, said transmission means being secured at one end to said leg rest member and at the,

other end to said back portion, said support-member having a radius of rotation-defined by the length between its pivotal support mounting and the transmission means attachment thereto which is greater than the radius of rotation of said leg rest member delined by the length between its pivotal mounting and the transmission means attachment thereto. l

8. A reclining chair comprisinga frame having a pair of spaced substantially-parallelly arranged arm members iixedly attached thereto, said arm members having substantially identically shaped outer peripheries, a support member having a seat portion and a backA portion ixedly attached to each other, said support member being pivotally mounted on and between said arm members at a predetermined level above the oor, aleg rest member extending between said arm members adjacent one-edge of said seat portion, said leg rest member being pivotally mounted on each of said arm members at a level higher above the oor than said predetermined level, and a pair lof belt transmission means each arranged for movement over at least a part of the outer periphery of a different one of said arm members, said transmission means being seemed at one end to said' leg rest member and at the other end to' said back portion and each being in frictional engagement with said outer periphery of one of said arm members, said support'rmemb'erhaving a radius off rotation defined by' theilength' between its pivotal'support. mounting and itsi transmission means attachment which" is greater thanthe radius of'rotati'on' of said leg rest member dened by the' length between its pivotal mounting 'and its transmission' means' attachment, thereby' causing said leg rest member to move through a greater arc than said back portion.

9. A reclining chair. comprising a Vframe having a pair of spaced arm members' xedly attached thereto, a support member havingv aseat portion and a back portion, said support member being pivotally mounted between said yarm members, a leg rest member extending between said arm members adjacent one edge of*` saidrseat portion, said leg, rest. member.VV being pivotaily mounted on said arm members, and an endless transmission means arrangedl for' movement longitudinally of one of' said arm members', said transmission 'means' being secured to s'aid leg rest' member and to said back portion; saidsupport member having a radius of Irotation extending between its pivotal support mounting and its transmission means attachment which is greater than the radius- 0'1": rotation of said leg rest member extending between its pivotal mounting and its transmission'meansV attachment.

l References Cited in the le of this patent' UNITED STATES PATENTS' 1,421,260 Kurniek- .Tune- 27, 1922 2,781,825 Lorenz .Ae-. Feb.. 19, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 14,446 t Great Britain Y Oct; 24, 17887 

